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Which ampmeter for lasercutter?

PostPosted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:13 pm
by educa
Hi there.

I would like to buy an amp meter for my laser cutter setup.

It will use a 80 watt reci laser and the docs from reci state max 29mA (preferably around 25mA) on the laser.

I found the following ampmeter on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-30mA-85C1-An ... 20c934fd73

Is this the kind of meter which I'll need ? It states DC (and not AC) is that ok ?

For the price it certainly is cheap :)


Kind regards,
Bart

Re: Which ampmeter for lasercutter?

PostPosted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:44 pm
by macona
That should do it.

Re: Which ampmeter for lasercutter?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:05 am
by educa
So its a DC amp meter I should buy and not an AC version ?

Re: Which ampmeter for lasercutter?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 5:40 am
by StigOE
educa wrote:So its a DC amp meter I should buy and not an AC version ?

Yes

Re: Which ampmeter for lasercutter?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:49 am
by Techgraphix
@educa: where did you get the idea it could be an AC current???
Ok, it varies but it certainly flows in ONE direction only.. so DC..

Kees

Re: Which ampmeter for lasercutter?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:55 am
by educa
Well I didn't get the idea it should be AC, I just asked because I see there exists both AC and DC versions of these beauties and I prefer to buy the right one. ;-) thats all actually

Re: Which ampmeter for lasercutter?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 9:50 pm
by georgehine
where would I wire in an ammeter to my laser power supply?

Re: Which ampmeter for lasercutter?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 9:54 pm
by educa
Between the ground/negative pole and the laser tube

You want to measure the current flowing back

Re: Which ampmeter for lasercutter?

PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:17 am
by georgehine
Would a digital ammeter be as good, better or worse?
one like this. I like the looks a little better.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Blue-LCD-DC-2 ... 2a1cc9a839

Re: Which ampmeter for lasercutter?

PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:37 am
by StigOE
A digital A-meter can also be used. It'll be a little more difficult to read, especially during raster, but it's not any real problems. I use a digital A-meter on my laser without any problems.